Vimla or Hallon – What's the Difference?

Vimla and Hallon are two of Sweden's most popular budget mobile operators – and it's easy to see why. Both offer 5G, free calls and texts, no lock-in contracts and prices that easily undercut the major operators. But they are not identical. Choosing the wrong one could mean missing out on features that actually matter in everyday life.

This guide breaks down the differences so you can make an informed choice. Want to jump straight to what suits you? Browse our mobile plan comparison or go directly to all mobile plans.

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Background: who are they?

Vimla was founded in 2014 and is owned by Telenor. They have built their reputation on honesty, simplicity and exceptionally satisfied customers – winning first place in the Swedish Quality Index for the mobile industry four years running, with a score of 82.5 out of 100 against an industry average of 65.8. The entire business model is built on removing everything unnecessary: no physical stores, no phone support, no lock-in contracts. Read our Vimla review for a deeper look.

Hallon launched in 2013 as a sister brand to Tre and is owned by Hi3G. They run on Tre's own network and position themselves as the simple, affordable operator – no hassle, no lock-in and no hidden fees. Hallon is one of the few budget operators that also offers business plans and handsets directly at sign-up. More on that in our Hallon review.

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Network and coverage – the key difference

This is the most important factor for most people and also the clearest dividing line between the two.

Vimla uses Telenor's network, which covers 99.9% of Sweden's population and 90% of the country's land area. It is one of the most comprehensive networks in Sweden, with strong coverage even in rural areas and northern Sweden.

Hallon runs on Tre's network, which covers 99% of the population. The network is at its strongest in and around cities and in southern Sweden. In rural areas and further north, coverage can be thinner compared to Telenor's network.

Vimla wins if you live or travel outside urban areas. Hallon is an excellent choice if you are primarily based in cities or in southern Sweden – and can actually have an edge on 5G speeds in urban environments.

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Prices and plans

Both operators offer data allowances from a few GB up to 100 GB, free calls and texts, and 5G on all plans – at no extra cost. Pricing is similar: roughly 109–370 SEK/month at standard prices depending on data level.

The difference lies in how campaigns are structured. Vimla periodically runs campaigns with heavily reduced prices for the first three months, while Hallon traditionally offers slightly longer campaign periods of four months.

One advantage shared by both is that unused data rolls over to the following month – you don't lose what you don't use. It makes it easier to choose the right size from the start. Not sure how much data you need? Read our guide on how much mobile data you need.

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Special plans – students, seniors and families

Both operators offer discounts for specific groups, but the details differ.

Vimla has dedicated plans for students, children under 18 and seniors (55+) with lower monthly fees. Read more in our guides on student plans and senior plans.

Hallon offers equivalent discounts but also has business plans – a category Vimla lacks entirely. Hallon also sells handsets at sign-up, which Vimla does not (beyond refurbished second-hand phones).

Planning to sign up multiple lines in the same household? See our guide on best family mobile plans or compare directly with the family filter.

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Customer service and app

Neither Vimla nor Hallon offers phone support – everything is handled via app, chat or email. This is a deliberate part of the budget model and works well for most people, but it is worth knowing upfront.

Vimla's app is consistently top-rated and lets you manage your plan, view usage in real time, change your data allowance and contact support – all in one place.

Hallon's app serves the same purpose and is smooth to use. One positive sign: Hallon responds to 97% of their negative Trustpilot reviews, which signals genuine engagement with the customer experience.

Customer satisfaction in SKI surveys: Vimla wins, with the industry's highest score four years in a row.

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EU roaming

Roaming is included with both operators in line with EU regulations – you can use your data allowance, make calls and send texts within the EU and EEA at no extra cost. Vimla allows up to 33 GB of roaming data per month. Read more about what applies in our guide on EU roaming.

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Quick summary: Vimla vs Hallon

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Who should choose what?

Choose Vimla if you live outside a major city, value customer satisfaction and want one of the most consistently well-regarded plans in Sweden.

Choose Hallon if you are city-based, need access to business plans or want to buy a new handset at sign-up.

Both are safe choices with mobile plans without lock-in contracts and transparent terms. Not sure yet? Check our list of Wipick's best right now or read our guide on switching mobile operator if you already know what you want to do.